Nearly 50% of resident doctors at the country’s premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are being forced to stay outside the campus for want of accommodation within the campus.

Nearly 50% of resident doctors at the country’s premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are being forced to stay outside the campus for want of accommodation within the campus.

“Though resident doctors are entitled to a two-room accommodation from the institute, unfortunately half of them — which comprises around 500 resident doctors — do not get the accommodation till nearly the end of their tenure,” said Dr Debjyoti Karmakar, president, resident doctor association (RDA).

More than 400 such doctors have signed a memorandum and submitted it to health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s office on Saturday, a day that was observed as the Institute Day at AIIMS.

“There are enough funds to change floor tiles of the wards multiple times. So, we understand that it is not the funds that not lacking, but the will and commitment towards building a new hostel for residents…” read the letter from the resident doctors to the health minister.

Of their three-year term, a majority of residents do not get any accommodation before the second year, forcing them to rent flats in nearby areas.

“There is also the angle of security with female doctors. We have raised this issue a number of times, but there has been no response. We are the main work force of the hospital, and even our basic needs are not being met,” said a resident doctor, requesting anonymity.

A copy of the memorandum was submitted at AIIMS director Dr RC Deka’s office as well.